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All content © Bob MuIIins | |||
 
6 Hour Enduro WAR at RAW… RAW Challenge Series Images: CH-Images Report: Imprint Media Driffield Training area was hand picked by event director to be the finale to the 2017 RAW Challenge Series. Its Hard Standing paddock coupled with vast open grasslands, up to 8 blocks of woodland, allows for 650 Acres of pure cross-country enduro paradise. This years series has been very well attended, riders teaming up for the relay class, or simple those with a liking for the unreachable test of endurance, pitting their skills on the long gruelling physically demanding events. As the series as just three races, the first two being a 4 then 5 hour, its only right that the six-hour was the biggest test yet.
Kev Hipwell and Son Scott Hipwell proved canny with their strategy on this long lap, opting to run one fast lap each and keep changing to hold a fast pace, this is something which has never been done before, this would only really work on a long lap event due to the change over delay. They went on to win the Sportsman Team class in fine style. Phil Dodsworth and Matty Baldwin placed runner up in class. Richard Hawes won the Sportsman Solo class and the series overall, his nearest rival on the day was Chris Brown, Brownie used his trials skills as well as endurance to overcome his Sherco electric starting failure, tricky at times as he has no kickstart! So bump starting it was! Well done for not giving in earning runner up spot. Tom Brazier placed third on 22 laps total. Novice solo honours on the day went to newcomer Thomas Baraona, next was Series overall winner Simon Tate in runner up place. Grant Cooper held a great third place at Driffield giving him second overall to Tate. MX Enthusiasts John Ward and Paul Tonks had a serious go at the challenge series this year, they were rewarded with a final round Vets Team class win to take the overall. Jonathan Ellis and Mark Fenwick were runners up less that 6 minutes down on the lead pair, whilst RAW regulars Steven Dean and Andy Kirby were third place on the day giving them second overall in the series. Vets solo top honours went to Mark Vardy who kept his composure to grind out a superb retirement victory, now ready to focus on son Marc’s knee surgery recovery, Mark Snr can simply enjoy riding as and when time permits. Steve Johnson overcame a misfiring KTM to take runner up place and be more than satistfiled with the overall solo vets win. An Expected final round challenge from Mark Cockfield didn’t pan out as he wanted after a week of a sickness bug left him riding slightly under his usual pace. Cockfield just edged out Martyn Thomas into forth place in the closing laps after Thomas hit the wall. D3 Racing rider Sam Winterburn teamed up with his Girlfriend Chloe Richardson in the expert team class at Driffield, they faced stiff competition from Jack Rowland and Jake Lakin, both teams having a very fast MX rider and an enduro jockey made it a fair playing field. Towards the end of the race it was a dash to the line, Winterburn posted some super fast final laps to take his new 300 TPI KTM to a maiden win with Richardson. Jack Rowland thoroughly enjoyed his ride at Driff showing some great skills doubling through the Dagon’s back whoop section. Moto 4 supported Brad Lilburn took the expert solo win despite having pressure all race from Appleyard rider Phil Hancock. Both riders posted and impressive 26-lap tally over the 6 hours.
Across the board its impossible to mention every rider in the post race report, stand out performance of the day goes to Chris Brown, riding Sportsman solo having to bump start his bike all day, never giving in means the lad from the North east takes runner up position in the overall standings. Some riders struggled with blistered hands due to the relentless nature of the 6-hour course. Another hero on the day Daniel Allen forgot his drinks system and rode all day without constant hydration, fair play to Daniel for making the finish in the novice solo class earning a fifth place overall in the series. Finally massive thanks to the riders for making this RAW Enduro Challenge series what it is. Already Wayne Braybrook has a fresh new challenge planned for 2018, something that will test the best, as well as catering for the riders of all ability levels. Roll on RAW Enduro Challenge fever in 2018. Now RAW Enduro take their summer break whilst families and friends enjoy time off and a well-earned rest during school holidays. See you all at Rock Oil Round 7 at a new venue on August 19/20th. Keep up to speed with RAW Enduro on socials and via the RAW Website. Online Race entries, training school enquires or
Membership applications are all on the easy to navigate RAW Enduro Website.
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A Le Mans style start saw Colin Appleyard’s Phil Hancock
and D3 Racing Sam Winterburn heading for turn 1 bar to bar off the line.
Each subsequent class were started individually on separate rows before they
set about getting used to the average 17 minute lap. Some Teams opted to run
two laps then change, others run an hour each.
The Clubman
classes were as close as ever, Greg Hough took the win and secured the
overall series Clubman Solo win. D3 Racing technician Ben Sayer had a
blinding day staying strong all race to take a very credible runner up
place. Thomas Bradshaw held on to third place on his RAW supported Beta to
credit himself with second overall having his first season back after injury
in 2016. Team Colin Appleyard’s celebrated a superb win in the Clubman
team class, established enduro runner Phil Blacka teamed up with MX now
enduro convert Cameron Macro to take a great win. Lee Pallet and Lee
Stansfield did just enough in runner up place to take the overall series
having a great tussle on the day with Blacka and Macro.